Structure for the continuous casting of metal bars

ABSTRACT

A structure for the continuous casting of metal bars, such as copper and aluminum, from hot molten metal. The structure includes a casting wheel which has a peripheral groove with a circumferential opening therein. A continuous-one-sided planar belt is provided for closing at least a portion of the circumferential opening so as to define a chamber for receiving the molten metal and for forming the continuous metal bar as the molten metal drops below its melting point. It is important that substantially the entire casting belt is in contact with the molten metal and the metal bar during the portion of the time that the belt is in contact with the casting wheel.



1. A structure for the continuous casting of metal bars from hot moltenmetal, said structure comprising, in combination, a rotatable castingwheel having a continuous peripheral groove with a continuous outercircumferential opening, and a continuous belt defining a continuousone-sided strip for closing at least a circumferential portion of saidcircumferential opening for its entire width so as to define a chamberfor receiving said molten metal and for forming a continuous metal baras said molten metal drops below its melting point, substantially all ofsaid belt being in contact with said molten metal and said metal bar. 2.The structure of claim 1 wherein said continuous belt comprises a Mobiusstrip.
 3. The structure of claim 1 wherein said peripheral grooveincludes inwardly and downwardly tapering walls, and said continuousbelt has its lateral edges bearing against the upper corners of saidtapering walls.
 4. The structure of claim 1 wherein said peripheralgroove includes side walls having narrow indentations at its upperedges, said belt has lateral edges, and said lateral edges of said beltare positively received in said indentations.
 5. A structure for thecontinuous casting of metal bars from molten metal, said structure,comprising, in combination, a rotatable casting wheel having acontinuous peripheral groove therein, and a continuous one-sided beltfor closing at least a circumferential portion of said opening for itsentire width so as to define a chamber for receiving said molten metaland for forming a continuous metal bar as said molten metal falls belowits melting point.
 6. The structure of claim 5 wherein substantially allof said one-sided belt is in contact with said molten metal and saidmetal bar.
 7. The structure of claim 5 wherein said continuous one-sidedbelt is a Mobius strip.
 8. The structure of claim 5 wherein a pair ofpulleys engage said continuous belt, said casting wheel engages saidband in a position intermediate said pulleys, and said continuousone-sided strip has a 180* turn therein to define a Mobius strip at aposition intermediate said pulleys.